The Use of Bubble CPAP and Humidified High Flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy in Children with Severe Pneumonia and Hypoxemia: A Systematic Review of the Evidence

Abstract

Background: Among children with severe pneumonia hypoxemia is the commonest complication leading to death. Some children will have both type I (hypoxemic) and type II (hypercarbic) respiratory failure. Together this accounts for high case-fatality rates in most populations with severe pneumonia. Standard oxygen supplementation by nasal prongs (low flow) can be lifesaving, but is not always sufficient to manage respiratory failure. In recent years continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) has been used to relieve hypoxemia and reduce the work of breathing. There are several ways to give positive airway pressure; one is bubble CPAP (BCPAP), another is high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen the..